In the latest issue of enerG Magazine, as part of their Ask the Energy Experts feature, Ampacity’s Senior Vice President of Business Development Dylan Wraga was asked, “What are the top three things your customers are looking for from you and other suppliers, and how do you meet those needs?”
Below is his response.
At Ampacity, our customers come to us with high expectations, and we meet them by delivering three key things: efficiency, reliability, and accuracy. These qualities drive momentum and value at every stage of the solar value chain.
Efficiency & Optimization: Speed and precision are key to our operations. Our customers rely on us for fast turnarounds and responsive communication that keeps their projects on track. We’re continually evolving to meet the market’s pace by scaling our engineering and operations teams, refining internal processes, and staying ahead of project demands. More than just a product supplier, we offer a full suite of solutions optimized for each site, helping customers move faster and more effectively.
Reliability: We’re in our customers’ corner from start to finish. Whether it’s foundation design or engineering support or simply being available when needed, we build confidence by being a partner they can depend on. Our team and expertise become an extension of their team, especially when timelines are tight and precision is critical.
Accuracy: There’s a lot of nuance in solar tracking systems—and our customers count on us to know the difference between a good fit and the right fit. We bring deep knowledge of the industry’s complexities and translate that into insights they can act on. It’s not just about delivering a number—it’s about delivering the right number and helping our partners make smarter, experience- and data-backed decisions.
Original article by Brad Kramer, Managing Editor, Solar Builder, July 28, 2025
Earlier this year, RP Construction Services rebranded as Ampacity Renewables. A member of the Quanta Services family of companies, Ampacity specializes in end-to-end structural and electrical solutions with a forward-thinking approach for clean energy projects, and the ability to orchestrate the full process from engineering to kitting to installation.
Eben Russell founded RPCS in 2014, but the business really came of age during COVID. They opened a warehouse operation in Mississippi and started to focus on enabling tracker projects as a value-added distributor instead of always doing it as a “turnkey” installer.
“Our sales have doubled since then,” Russell tells us. “We’ve opened two additional warehouses in the last three years and just celebrated the five-year anniversary of the MS facility back in April. We’ve got a team of over 300 spread out across the U.S.”
The team built a reputation in the industry as a trusted partner with a one-stop-shop approach, and the evolution of the company necessitated a new brand identity. The team selected a well-known industry term — “Ampacity,” defined as the maximum amount of current that a conductor can safely carry — to evoke the concept of electrification and acceleration, as well as to represent the company’s above-and-beyond approach to serving its customers.
I recently spoke to Ampacity founder and president Eben Russell about the name change, the company’s expanded capabilities, and general industry trends. Read on for the rest of my interview with Eben.
Why change the company name from RP Construction Services?
Russell: When we first started the company, we were on a mission to sell trackers at a time when very few contractors had experience assembling them. We trained our own crews and filled a key gap in the marketplace. A lot of our customers in the early days were only comfortable buying a tracking system if they knew we would build it for them, so we did.
Obviously, the market has changed a lot over the past ten years, and so have we. We still do a decent volume of installs every year, but today the bulk of our business is value-added distribution. We sell essential solar construction supplies to other contractors and developers. We know how to make our customers successful because we’ve been in their shoes. The way we do things is all about helping steer around the stumbling blocks that every project encounters at one point or another. We’ve seen it all.
We changed our name to make it easier for the marketplace to understand what we’re about and where we’re going. Our business carries a constant river of metal into our warehouses and out to small solar sites – truck after truck after truck. And we’re going further. Late last year, we started distributing electrical goods in addition to tracker and pile. There’s so much value we can offer because of the level of familiarity we create with each site, and because everything we do is done with the field in mind.
Ultimately, the name ‘Ampacity’ gets right to the core of who we are – a value-added distributor operating at maximum capacity for our customers.
What can you tell me about the company’s expanded capabilities?
Russell: In the past 6 months, we’ve focused on building two new areas of the business. First, electrical distribution. We now support customers with wire harnesses, wire management products, MV cable, termination kits, and sectionalizing cabinets. To support this new line of products, we’ve invested in inventory, warehouse space, and value-added services like custom reels and MV kitting.
The second area that we’ve expanded is our service business to support the installed base. When Ampacity started, there was less than 20 GW of operating solar capacity in the US. Now there’s more than ten times that amount, and plants that are five, six, seven years old are needing goods and services to solve performance problems and run safely. We can help.
Can you explain Ampacity’s distribution approach? What does that mean for your customers?
Russell: We talk about four things that really make us tick. The first one is expert sales. Our salespeople are not cold callers – they’re product experts and problem solvers. They get deep into drawing sets and geotechnical reports. At Ampacity, sales is about helping customers get to the right answer, not just taking their order.
The second thing that defines our approach is premium goods. We partner with leading manufacturers so that we can offer our customers the highest quality products. The whole business is oriented around “no apology technology”.
Number three is value from design. Our design team makes major design contributions to most of the projects we supply. In some cases, we have an active engineering dialogue with the project owner even if we end up transacting with their contractor at NTP. Applications engineering is core to who we are and how we think about distribution. One of our first things we did in launching our electrical distribution effort was hiring our first electrical designer.
Finally, our commitment to the field sets us apart. The head of our warehouse operations used to be one of our best field superintendents. The head of our electrical warehousing effort spent the bulk of his career on project sites. Everything we do in the warehouse – from pre-kitting tracker rows to overnighting a mission critical part – is about helping crews succeed in the field.
What size project are your “bread and butter”?
Russell: Our sweet spot is 1-100 MW, but we usually do a couple projects per year that are larger than that. Because there are usually statutory limits on project size in community solar states, we see a high number of projects under 10 MW. We provided trackers for over 300 projects last year.
Where do you see the most opportunity in the solar industry? Is it all about data centers and AI? Are there other areas spiking in the market?
Russell: Data centers and AI are definitely big growth drivers for any business in our sector right now. It boils down to a basic supply & demand problem. There isn’t enough generation for all the load that’s coming – the energy demands of AI infrastructure are staggering and growing exponentially. From a climate perspective, it feels like a bit of a setback, and we’re on a mission to help the industry respond. Speed of deployment is a huge theme, and solar is the best option from that standpoint.
The increase in power demand isn’t just impacting large solar projects. A lot of regulators are searching for ways to reduce the impact of all this additional demand on individuals and small businesses. Keeping rates under control won’t be easy.
One option that keeps gaining traction across the country is community solar. The community solar frameworks in states like New York and Illinois have been really effective at lowering energy costs for solar subscribers. I think we’ll see several additional markets open up in the next couple years. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see more interest in larger behind-the-meter projects and microgrids as customers try to reduce their exposure to utility rates.
It’s a big moment for entire power & utilities industry. The needs are great, but so are the opportunities. As a supply chain partner, we’re setting ourselves up to move more goods faster and faster so that things go smoothly when all the financing and permitting is done and it’s time to build.
What others trends do you see emerging in the solar industry?
Russell: The solar industry is moving at breakneck speed. The pressure is on to deliver projects quickly, accurately, efficiently, and safely. We’re seeing a lot of momentum in the DG space as demand grows and grid constraints tighten. Supply chain challenges are still in play.
Customers need reliable partners who bring expertise and value to their growing portfolios and project pipelines. We collaborate constantly with our customers and mitigate risks through our design capability, manufacturer partnerships, stocking and logistics strategies, and fulfillment operations. Customers want expertise, not just materials, so we help them de-risk projects through better planning, better design, and better execution to stay ahead of the curve.
What’s next for Ampacity?
Russell: We’ve already talked about some big growth areas for us. Electrical distribution and services to the installed base will continue to be focus areas for the foreseeable future. There’s also constant evolution in our base business with new tracker products, changing trends, and new players in the space. Our customers rely on us to stay right on the cutting edge of the tracker market, and we do the work that it takes to stay there.
Finally, there’s always more we can do to improve our customers’ experience with us. I’m excited about some of the software projects we have underway to drive customers’ success in the field. At the end of the day, all of our success comes down to passion for creating a better way.
How distributed generation solar is meeting America’s energy demands
Published in Solar Power World, contributed by Bri Bruce, Senior Director of Marketing, Ampacity
Surging Power Needs
For the first time in decades, demand for electricity is rising – and quickly. From data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency to the electrification of domestic manufacturing and transportation, power needs are predicted to rise to new all-time highs. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) reported in a recent study that US electricity demand is projected to grow 50% by 2050, driven by data centers and electrification.
So, how will our nation meet this demand, affordably and quickly?
The answer is not straightforward, and to date, our track record has not been stellar. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), electricity supply has not kept up with demand over the past decade. Electricity prices increased 20% from 2020 to 2023, due to a lack of supply and needed upgrades to America’s transmission and distribution network.
As we navigate a shifting global trade environment, strained supply chains, and the lingering threat of inflation, all eyes are on deployment, both of new generation and the grid infrastructure needed to support it.
All-of-the-Above Energy?
The realities of spiking electricity demand has policymakers and investors alike speaking in terms of an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy. Grid operators like PJM have created fast-track interconnection pathways to shore up supply, capacity auctions are sending crystal-clear market signals, and longstanding plans to decommission power plants are being reconsidered.
But while all electrons may serve the same function, different types and sizes of generators face very different timelines. For instance, units 3 and 4 of the Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia took 15 years to build. Lead times for gas turbines from leading OEMs can stretch more than five years. Coal plants are rarely economic to run, and there are none that are currently in development in the U.S.
Solar and energy storage are lower cost and twice as fast to deploy compared with competing types of generation, but large solar and storage projects still linger for years in choked interconnection queues and permitting processes. How can we make more progress towards adding generation capacity that will meet the moment?
Distributed Generation Solar Should be Part of the Solution
Renewables are undoubtedly one of the most rapidly scalable and cost-competitive ways to deliver power. These technologies are quicker to deploy than nuclear or natural gas, and their supply chains are far more robust.
Distributed generation (DG) or “middle market” solar assets, in particular, are a stand-out solution. Because DG projects have a less significant impact on overloaded electrical grids, they spend less time in interconnection queues, providing states with a viable and affordable option for meeting rising energy demands. Solar projects that interconnect with utility infrastructure at lower voltages, such as at most community solar plants, can also help avoid costly upgrades to substations and transmission lines.
Beyond meeting power needs, DG solar projects create jobs in construction, installation, operations, and maintenance, and of course, reduce pollution compared with carbon-emitting generation sources. This strengthens local communities and ensures a healthier environment for generations to come.
The Promise of Community Solar
In a few states, community solar farms already provide low-cost clean power and optionality for retail electricity customers at scale. Community solar policy has enabled gigawatts of solar capacity year over year, with a substantial 35% surge in growth in 2024, led by New York, Maine and Illinois. In light of spiking electricity demand and a crisis of affordability across the country, more states are in the process of introducing community solar as an option for their ratepayers.
A recent analysis by the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) highlights the benefits that community solar provides beyond the inherent megawatt hours of clean power. CCSA reports that community solar could unlock more than $120 billion in economic activity nationwide. Each gigawatt (GW) of community solar can support more than 18,000 local jobs and generate $2.8 billion in state economic activity, according to CCSA’s findings.
Speed and Efficiency Are Key
Building renewables projects, albeit much faster than other generation sources, is nevertheless quite an undertaking. Navigating real estate and land leases, overcoming permitting hurdles, and managing supply chain issues can all impact how quickly projects are placed into service. That’s why bringing speed, precision, and quality to small-scale and middle-market solar development is so critical.
Although the core components—such as modules, inverters, and trackers—attract the most attention, every aspect of renewable energy project construction can be optimized. For instance, consider the sheer amount of labor it takes to construct even a mid-sized community solar farm. Solutions that simplify fieldwork, streamline construction processes, and can be repeated across full portfolios of small-scale solar projects are critical for accelerating capacity additions.
As demand for power continues to rise, driven by the expansion of data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities, the need for efficient, scalable energy solutions has never been greater. By making small solar projects repeatable and efficient to execute at scale, we can add capacity faster and smarter, meeting growing demand without letting go of our climate goals.
About the Author
Bri Bruce is the Senior Director of Marketing for Ampacity. She joined the company in 2017, and since that time, has led the company’s internal and external marketing functions, shaping the company’s overall strategy while overseeing content creation, digital initiatives, social media, and public relations. She is an unparalleled brand ambassador for Ampacity, executing programming to drive business outcomes, foster customer and partner relationships, and increase market share, while advancing the company’s visibility and reputation.
Ampacity delivers a forward-thinking approach to end-to-end structural and electrical solutions for clean energy transition projects, and the ability to orchestrate the full process from engineering to kitting to installation. Since 2014, Ampacity has delivered nearly seven gigawatts of fully engineered clean energy systems to community and utility-scale solar customers in the U.S. and Canada. Learn more at www.ampacity.com.
Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget reconciliation bill that poses significant implications for the solar industry.
While the bill still needs to clear the Senate, the version passed by the House signals a sharp turn in how clean energy tax incentives, including the Section 48E Investment Tax Credit (ITC), will be applied moving forward.
The revised language in the bill introduces a much narrower eligibility window for the 48E credit:
Projects must begin construction within 60 days of the bill’s enactment, and
Must be placed in service by December 31, 2028.
This marks a substantial shift from current law and earlier proposals, which stepped the ITC down over several years instead of immediately. For most projects that are in development, this new timeline poses significant challenges.
The Case for Safe Harbor
This bill threatens to pull the rug out from under the solar industry—just as it’s proving its value in relieving grid stress, lowering costs, and creating local jobs.
For developers and EPCs, this bill presents an urgent call to action for safe harbor efforts. Starting construction in time to meet the new 48E requirements is critical—and Ampacity is here to help.
At Ampacity, we’ve supported safe harbor strategies many times before—and we’re ready to do it again. Our team can help you move quickly to execute your safe harbor plans. With our large warehouse footprint, kitting and assembly services, and expertise in electrical and structural systems, we can help you move quickly today to support your success in the future.
Our Safe Harbor Strategy
Ampacity’s safe harbor strategy offers flexibility to future projects by focusing on components that are universal—not module- or project-specific. Customers can realize savings by both purchasing solar tracker materials and electrical goods from Ampacity and storing them safely and cost-effectively in Ampacity’s facilities, located in Mississippi, Kentucky, and Iowa, to serve projects nationwide.
Ampacity’s in-house engineering capabilities provide project owners and developers with a competitive edge when planning and purchasing projects in advance to maximize the value of the ITC.
By implementing their safe harbor strategy, Ampacity helps customers minimize risks associated with project or technology changes, guiding purchasing decisions toward components that will retain their value and not become barriers to other BOS selections when the projects are ready to proceed.
Our Commitment
Ampacity continues to be your forward-thinking distribution partner, offering more than just materials. We help customers overcome the biggest industry challenges—whether that’s rising demand, grid constraints, labor shortages, or evolving policy.
The House bill may have set a harmful starting point, but there’s still time to shape the outcome—and secure your projects in the process. If this bill becomes law, it will take a strong, coordinated response to protect the role of solar in America’s energy future. We’re in your corner, ready to accelerate what’s next.
Need help navigating safe harbor requirements? Contact Ampacity today—we’ll help you keep your projects on track.
Ampacity Renewables, formerly known as RP Construction Services, announced at Intersolar & Energy Storage North America 2025 (IESNA 2025) the expansion of its capabilities, products, and services aimed at driving the clean energy transition and addressing the growing demand for power across the United States. The company’s rebranding to Ampacity Renewables reflects its commitment to electrification and efficiency. The term “ampacity” refers to the maximum amount of current a conductor can safely carry, symbolizing the company’s focus on delivering high-performance solutions while accelerating the deployment of clean energy projects.
Eben Russell, said in a statement, “For over a decade, we have served our customers as a trusted partner to support them in completing projects quickly and efficiently. This has resulted in tremendous growth and expansion within the tracker sector. Moving forward, we are leveraging our proven approach, incredible team, and the new Ampacity brand to bring cutting-edge solutions and services to address all industry sectors and all project types. By 2030, U.S. electricity demand is expected to grow 7% from 4,300 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024 to 4,600 TWh in 2030. Ampacity’s vision is to expand our breadth of solutions and services to meet our nation’s future power needs, sustainably and responsibly.”
“Ampacity is accelerating the energy transition with their value-added, kitted solutions that streamline procurement, reduce customers’ overhead, simplify the work in the field, improve safety, bolster quality, and make work more repeatable and more scalable,” mentioned Duke Austin, President and CEO at Quanta Services.
Ampacity has established itself as a trusted partner in the industry by offering a comprehensive, one-stop-shop approach to solar and energy storage solutions. Customers benefit from a wide range of services, including design solutions, readily available inventory, kitting and pre-assembly, logistics support, post-installation services, and commissioning. By streamlining procurement and installation processes, Ampacity helps reduce overhead costs, improve project timelines, and enhance worker safety.
As demand for clean energy continues to rise, driven by the expansion of data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities, the need for efficient, scalable energy solutions is becoming more critical. Ampacity’s enhanced capabilities position the company as a key player in supporting the growth of distributed generation and utility-scale solar and storage projects, ensuring a more sustainable and reliable energy future.
About Ampacity
A proud member of the Quanta Services family of companies, Ampacity, LLC (Ampacity) delivers a forward-thinking approach to end-to-end structural and electrical solutions for clean energy transition projects, and the ability to orchestrate the full process from engineering to kitting to installation. Ampacity is committed to accelerating clean energy for a better future and providing comprehensive solutions that ensure project deadlines are met. Since 2014, Ampacity has delivered more than six gigawatts of fully engineered clean energy systems to customer sites in the U.S. and Canada. Learn more at www.ampacity.com.
Large-scale solar installer RP Construction Services (RPCS) announced during Intersolar & Energy Storage North America that the company is rebranding to Ampacity Renewables. The term Ampacity is defined as the maximum amount of current that a conductor can safely carry.
“For over a decade, we have served our customers as a trusted partner to support them in completing projects quickly and efficiently. This has resulted in tremendous growth and expansion within the tracker sector,” said Eben Russell, founder and president of Ampacity. “Moving forward, we are leveraging our proven approach, incredible team, and the new Ampacity brand to bring cutting-edge solutions and services to address all
industry sectors and all project types.”
The team at Ampacity is carrying over the same services on which RPCS built its reputation: design solutions, on-hand inventory, kitting and pre-assembly, logistics services, post-installation services and commissioning — all from one company. “Ampacity’s vision is to expand our breadth of solutions and services to meet our nation’s future power needs, sustainably and responsibly,” Russell added.
“Ampacity is accelerating the energy transition with their value-added, kitted solutions that streamline procurement, reduce customers’ overhead, simplify the work in the field, improve safety, bolster quality, and make work more repeatable and more scalable,” said Duke Austin, president and CEO at Quanta Services, Ampacity’s parent company.
About Ampacity
A proud member of the Quanta Services family of companies, Ampacity, LLC (Ampacity) delivers a forward-thinking approach to end-to-end structural and electrical solutions for clean energy transition projects, and the ability to orchestrate the full process from engineering to kitting to installation. Ampacity is committed to accelerating clean energy for a better future and providing comprehensive solutions that ensure project deadlines are met. Since 2014, Ampacity has delivered more than six gigawatts of fully engineered clean energy systems to customer sites in the U.S. and Canada. Learn more at www.ampacity.com.
Introducing Ampacity, formerly RP Construction Services
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Intersolar & Energy Storage North America – February 24, 2025 –Ampacity Renewables, formerly known as RP Construction Services, today announced at #IESNA their significantly expanded capabilities, products, and services designed to catalyze the clean energy industry and meet the nation’s escalating power demand.
The company selected a well-known industry term—Ampacity—defined as the maximum amount of current that a conductor can safely carry, to evoke the concept of electrification and acceleration, as well as to represent the company’s above-and-beyond approach to serving its customers.
The team at Ampacity has built a reputation in the industry as a trusted partner with a one-stop-shop approach. Ampacity customers benefit from a comprehensive offering that includes: design solutions, on-hand inventory, kitting and pre-assembly, logistics services, post-installation services and commissioning—all from one value-added company. Ampacity’s structural and electrical solutions for distributed generation and utility-scale solar and storage projects reduce customers’ overhead and job costs with efficient and streamlined procurement, ensure timely receiving and installation, and increase worker safety.
“For over a decade, we have served our customers as a trusted partner to support them in completing projects quickly and efficiently. This has resulted in tremendous growth and expansion within the tracker sector,” said Eben Russell, Founder and President of Ampacity. “Moving forward, we are leveraging our proven approach, incredible team, and the new Ampacity brand to bring cutting-edge solutions and services to address all industry sectors and all project types.”
Growing power demand, driven by new datacenters and advanced manufacturing facilities, will require more clean energy generation, and, alongside that, strategies to efficiently advance projects. “By 2030, U.S. electricity demand is expected to grow 7% from 4,300 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024 to 4,600 TWh in 2030,” Russell remarked. “Ampacity’s vision is to expand our breadth of solutions and services to meet our nation’s future power needs, sustainably and responsibly.”
“Ampacity is accelerating the energy transition with their value-added, kitted solutions that streamline procurement, reduce customers’ overhead, simplify the work in the field, improve safety, bolster quality, and make work more repeatable and more scalable,” said Duke Austin, President and CEO at Quanta Services.
About Ampacity
A proud member of the Quanta Services family of companies, Ampacity, LLC (Ampacity) delivers a forward-thinking approach to end-to-end structural and electrical solutions for clean energy transition projects, and the ability to orchestrate the full process from engineering to kitting to installation. Ampacity is committed to accelerating clean energy for a better future and providing comprehensive solutions that ensure project deadlines are met. Since 2014, Ampacity has delivered more than six gigawatts of fully engineered clean energy systems to customer sites in the U.S. and Canada. Learn more at www.ampacity.com.
About Quanta Services
Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) is a leading specialized contracting services company, delivering comprehensive infrastructure solutions for the utility, communications, pipeline and energy industries. Quanta’s comprehensive services include designing, installing, repairing and maintaining energy and communications infrastructure. With operations throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and select other international markets, Quanta has the manpower, resources and expertise to safely complete projects that are local, regional, national or international in scope. For more information, visit www.quantaservices.com.
RP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS) is pleased to welcome Mario Colecchia as Senior Structural Engineer
Mr. Colecchia joins RPCS from AZTEC Engineering Group, where he was previously a structural engineer.
As Senior Structural Engineer, Mario Colecchia will provide structural engineering assessments, calculations and stamped designs to comply with applicable codes, as well as manage and oversee engagement with geotechnical firms to gather needed field level data and generate geotechnical studies.
Working closely with the RPCS sales team, project managers, and field crews, Mr. Colecchia’s role in analyzing geotechnical reports or onsite issues related to foundations will help identify solutions and keep projects running smoothly. Mr. Colecchia will help contribute to the overall strategic initiatives of the company to help RPCS continue to maintain its reputation for quality and as an innovative, solution-oriented design-build installation company.
Mario Colecchia is a Professional Structural Engineer with over 20 years of experience designing a variety of structures including highway bridges, retaining walls, overhead sign structures, and PV trackers and foundations. For several years before joining RPCS, he worked as a consultant designing foundations for hundreds of RPCS projects. In total, Mr. Colecchia has worked designing and engineering hundreds of RPCS projects, as well as leading projects across the country.
Mr. Colecchia earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree from Princeton University in 1992 and his Master of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994. He is accomplished in the application and interpretation of the AASHTO/ACI/AISC/IBC/NDS design codes and local agency design guidelines. Although most of the projects he has worked on are in the United States, he has international experience as well, including in Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, and the Middle East.
Mr. Colecchia is a former Adjunct Professor of Structures at Essex County College where he taught an introductory class in steel, concrete, and timber design emphasizing LRFD to sophomore-level college students. In addition to giving lectures, his responsibilities included developing the curriculum, preparing lessons, and creating exams. He currently teaches the Structures session of a review course for engineers preparing to sit for the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. His teaching experience began at Princeton University where, as a teaching assistant, he led a class that introduced engineering concepts to liberal arts students and reviewed papers for publication.
“After several years of working with RPCS as a consultant, it’s great to be able to join the team I most enjoyed serving,” Mr. Colecchia says. “I hope to continue to provide RPCS and their customers the results they’ve come to expect. I am excited to focus entirely on RPCS’s customers!”
RP Construction Services, Inc. designs and builds ground mount solar projects. With over 360 projects and more than 1GW completed or under construction throughout the United States, RPCS provides full turnkey service and support for solar tracker projects, including site layout optimization, ancillary engineering services, tracker supply, foundation post procurement, and complete mechanical installation. For more information about RPCS, please visit rpcs.com or call us at 831.620.2188.
City of Atkinson site in November 2018, nearing completion.
MONTEREY, Calif. January 8th, 2018—RPCS is pleased to announce their partnership with GenPro Energy Solutions and the City of Atkinson to build a 209kW solar array in Nebraska.
The city formerly used the Atkinson-owned site for fill, a place where soil, trees, and debris were brought then covered with dirt. Because of the nature of the site, project construction initially saw particular challenges. With embedment depths up to 30 feet—three times the norm—needed for proper installation of the foundation, using longer than normal I-beams would have added significant costs for construction and material. Moreover, loose soil and debris could cause refusal of the post for a regular piledriver.
The City of Atkinson wanted a tracked system that could provide enough energy to offset the energy consumption of their Water Treatment Plant. Through NPPD’s Buy-Sell Solar Rider, Atkinson can create long-term cash flow for the city through the production of solar energy.
Project developer GenPro Energy Solutions, who specializes in municipal solar development throughout the Midwest, brings design and custom energy solution integration expertise to the project while RPCS helped drive a creative solution to a complex engineering issue.
The site features DuraTrack HZ v3 single-axis solar trackers by Array Technologies, supplied by RPCS, Array’s DG partner. Array’s mounting technology keeps the modules following the sun on its course throughout the day, ensuring up to a 20 to 25% increase in energy production over fixed-tilt systems. RPCS designs and installs Array tracker systems throughout the country, with hundreds of projects completed to date in the utility and distributed generation markets.
The site features RPCS’s Plug-N-Play solar tracker system for above-ground wire management.
The project uses TerraSmart‘s innovative ground screw foundation posts, a seamless solution to the challenging nature of the site’s subsurface conditions. TerraSmart’s ground screws have a better ability to resist uplift than I-beams in loose soil and can drill into debris, reducing upfront construction costs and eliminating subsurface risks.
“This project is a great example of how teamwork, engineering, and innovative solutions can help overcome site challenges and result in the most efficient design for all parties involved. GenPro’s value engineering, Array’s superior grade tolerance, and TerraSmart’s unique foundation posts all allowed for a system that will maximize power production for the City of Atkinson,” says RPCS Sales Director Dylan Wraga. “There were underground challenges that TerraSmart’s solution was well suited to, and combined with Array’s reliable architecture this system will be producing clean power for many years to come.”
“It is exciting to come up with a unique solution for a site that has an ideal location in relation to the facility we’re looking to power,” says Molly Brown, GenPro’s VP of Energy Production. “The ability to use Array trackers with TerraSmart ground screws will allow us to maximize production on what would normally be considered a difficult site. It’s a very exciting project to be a part of.”
A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place this week onsite on January 10th at 10am.
RP Construction Services (RPCS) designs and builds ground mount solar projects using the industry’s gold standard for quality, the Array Technologies DuraTrack® HZ v3 single-axis tracker. With over 550 MW and over 250 projects completed or under construction throughout the United States, RPCS provides full turnkey service and support for the industry’s most bankable and reliable tracker. RPCS’s expert knowledge of Array Technologies’ trackers ensures world-class turnkey project assistance including site layout optimization, ancillary engineering services, tracker and foundation procurement, and complete mechanical installation. The team at RPCS provides reliable support at every step of the project, delivering a level of quality and efficiency that parallels Array’s market reputation. For more information about RPCS, please visit rpcs.com or call us at 831.620.2188.
GenPro Energy Solutions is the unparalleled choice for solar development and EPC services in Nebraska. From project concept through construction, our NABCEP certified team supports you through every stage of your project. GenPro has served the Nebraska market since 2007 and recently expanded their offices and warehouse to Central City, Nebraska. GenPro has earned their reputation for expert, reliable services and providing the highest quality of craftsmanship in Nebraska and nationwide. GenPro was founded in 2003 in Rapid City. Since day one, GenPro always strived to exemplify the core principles of integrity and best-in-class service. With GenPro’s rapid growth, new talent from inside and outside the industry sector was added to address the ever-changing energy market needs.
RPCS is now Ampacity
Momentum is everything in clean energy. And we’re accelerating the transition with expanded capabilities and new possibilities. So we’re excited to announce a new name and a new look. We’re still the same company you know and love, but better positioned to expedite clean energy—and your impact. Meet Ampacity. Let’s put your project in motion.
Why change the company name from RP Construction Services?
RP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS) is pleased to welcome Mario Colecchia as Senior Structural Engineer
